Memorial (Decoration) Day. . . .

Memorial Day had its birth during the American Civil War.  With communities experiencing devastating losses, annual prayer meetings and memorials were scheduled to honor the dead.

One of the first U.S. Government initiatives for a nation wide day of Memorial was a proclamation from the Union Army after the war.  GAR General Orders 11 on May 5, 1868 set aside a day for decorating graves on May 30th.  The original Decoration Day focused exclusively on Civil War dead.  The old Confederacy was not about to take such orders.  Most Southern States, under reconstruction, held their separate holidays. (Lousiana and Tennessee chosing June 3rd, Jefferson Davis’ birthday, for example.)

Consensus on the May holiday date was only achieved after the First World War when Memorial Day was expanded to cover all American Wars.    Since then the Holiday has been observed in late May by all.

As you go about the business of the holiday, take the time to just remember those that have sacrificed all for our freedom.   Over 140 years later, you will help fulfill General Orders 11 from 1868. . .

If other eyes grow dull, other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain to us.   GAR General Orders 11 – May 5, 1868

This Economy has presented some tough choices to all of us. Similarly, it has presented a very tough $3 Million challenge to the Novi School System.

The crux of this issue seems to be the High School Schedule change. The change keeps teachers in the class room 83% instead of 75% of the time. That is an increase in individual Productivity of 10.6%.

Increasing Productivity – That sounds like a way forward in a recession.

Let’s look at the individual student schedule. Under the new plan students are in class for 996 class hours per year with no additional school days. Under the current plan (4 X 4) we are talking 936 class hours. That’s a 6.4% productivity increase.

Increasing Productivity – That sounds like a way forward in a recession.

At the April 20th informational meeting there were a lot of individual statements and few individual questions. The most common question asked was “why now? Why can’t we have a couple years warning? Well I’m sure many of us would have liked a couple years warning for our jobs, mortgages, and investments, but we didn’t get it. Looking forward is what is important now.

The only question is, there’s a $3,000,000 bubble, where does the money come from? The alternatives seem to be to take away things at the elementary school level. In other words reduce the benefits of the schools who historically lead the pack in MEAP scores in the Novi School System. Schools that have historically met AYP progress goals.

Punishing the Productive – That sounds like a dead end in a recession.

Is that the lesson we want to hand to our next generation?

I’ll take a plan that increases productivity while saving dollars anytime.

On Tuesday May 5, we will have an opportunity to make a decision on an investment that will serve Novi for many generations to come.

It’s no secret that recent national studies show parks help attract both businesses and residents to new communities. This Signature Park will assist Novi in its continued effort to diversify the tax base, create economic development and improve the quality of life of its residents.

I respect everyone’s opinion, but I would ask this proposal be judged on its merits not on labels attached to it. If you are opposed to Signature Park merely because it can be labeled a “tax increase,” and those are unpopular now, I think that would be a mistake. It is either good for Novi – or it is not. If it is good for Novi in the long run the fact that it, technically, raises taxes does not magically transform it into something that is bad for Novi. Remember, we’re talking about .5 of a mil. That’s $75 a year for a home valued at $300,000. Let’s put that into perspective. It’s less than $1.50 per week. Surely $75 a year means something different to everyone. I get that. I have five kids, three in college, an aging parent and a mortgage on a house that has lost value just like yours. Not to mention a business that is trying to sustain itself during these trying times. But it’s the features and benefits of what $1.44 per week investment will return in the future that makes this almost a no-brainer.

There is one other very important aspect to the Signature Park; the preservation of 60 acres of open green space. If we are truly stewards of the future of our environment this is an opportunity, in all likelihood the last opportunity, to preserve 60 contiguous acres of green space in Novi. Surely the preservation of this much open green space for future generations is worth $1.44 a week. It’s worth it to me, regardless of what label is slapped on it: Republican, Democrat, Conservative, Liberal, environmentalist or tax raiser. This is good for Novi, that’s all I am concerned about. Please take the time to understand what this asset will bring to the community and
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visit www.novisignaturepark.com. There’s something for everyone in this park, and I hope you’ll join me and vote “yes” on May 5.

Very sad news regarding the death of Mark “the Bird” Fidrych. Looking at how brief his Baseball career was, one can’t fully appreciate Fidrych’s impact. “The Bird” phenom is hard to understand unless you lived through it.

1976 was a rough year in Metro Detroit. The city was still reeling from the first OPEC Oil Embargo (gas was an unbelievable 60-70 cents per gallon). Inflation was heading to 10 percent, the auto industry had faced it’s first “really big layoff”.

Like Detroit the Tigers were retooling. The champions of ‘68 and ‘72 were mostly gone, a few vets were there for DH duties and unproven rookies swelled the roster. The Tigers were headed for the cellar.

Here comes this exuberant, wacky rookie pitcher. He talked to the baseball, he had his own catcher (Bruce Kimm), he groomed the mound on his hands an knees, he went through all kinds of movements on the mound, he looked like “Big Bird” and oh, yes that unbelievable fast ball. Soon fans flocked to see him pitch. . . in Detroit and EVERYWHERE.

Tiger Stadium was near empty unless “the Bird” was throwing. Then you were lucky to get a ticket. On the Road if ‘the Bird’ “skipped” an opposing series, the opponent complained. You see Fidrych sold out on the road as well. Fans wanted “Rain Checks” if the ‘Bird’ didn’t pitch his turn in the rotation.

For an unbelievable summer no one cared about standings, wins and losses. Only one question mattered “Is ‘Bird’ pitching?”. If the answer was “Yes”, everyone forgot their troubles and turned to baseball. The Tigers would win 74 games, 19 of them went to the Rookie Pitcher.

The Career ended way too soon. Now Mark has left us way too soon.

We’ll miss you Mark.

Looks like rumors may be true. The silhouette Blue Lions Logo could be history. Rumors indicate that the Downtown Kitty Cats are dumping Bubbles for a new ferocious more realistic animal logo. . .

Well, sort of. . .

More like “Son of Bubbles”. The new logo gets an eye, an open mouth, and a black outline. “Son of Bubbles actually appears to have all 4 legs operational. Old Bubbles fans are sure to recognize this logo as one of the family.

How does the ferocity of this new logo rank? That shaking you feel is from the rest of the NFL shaking in their boots in fear. Or maybe they are laughing too hard. . Time will tell.

In a previous post, I indicated how AT&T has been collecting PEG fees from its customers while not providing PEG channels.  It turns out my complaint was pointed at the wrong entity.

After filing a complaint with the MPSC (Michigan Public Service Commision) and speaking with folks at the Michigan Attorney General’s office, it became evident that AT&T was acting in accordance with the law.

In 2007, Public Act PA 480 of 2006 (also known as The Uniform Video Services Local Franchise Act) was signed into law.  The act (among other things) requires video service providers to collect PEG fees on behalf of municipalities and turn 100% of those fees over to them.  In many cities, this has added up to tens of thousands of dollars.

So, what we got was a great law… with some unintended negative consequences.   It seems that our legislators forgot one important point.  While the act requires video providers to transmit PEG signals to it’s customers, it does not require municipalities to pass the PEG signal to the video providers… OOPS!

It’s been 2+ years since the act passed, and AT&T Uverse customer continue to get taxed for services not rendered.

It’s worth noting that the oft-maligned city of Detroit has found a way to get this done for their residents.

Next step… work to get the law amended.

I changed video providers last September, switching from DirecTV to AT&T Uverse.  Outside of a few initial issues, I’ve been happy with my new service.

The main reasons for making the switch (aside from the cost savings) was that Uverse would offer Novi PEG (Public Education and Government) channels.  Unfortunately, it’s been about 6 months, and still no PEG.   This, even though I’ve been paying fees for these channels since day 1.

From the best I’ve been able to determine, the delay is due to some contractual disagreement between the City and AT&T.

While they continue to debate, I decided to file a complaint with the MPSC (Michigan Public Services Commission) against AT&T.   It is my hope to get reimbursed for all PEG fees paid for the time that the service had been unavailable.  I’m also hoping that the City and AT&T can finally come to terms so that we can get what we rightfully deserve.

I’ve taken some ribbing in the past regarding the disorganization of my computer’s desktop.  Frankly, I have WAY too many icons, and it does (at times) make it hard to find what I’m looking for.

But, that’s no longer the case.  Stardock, a company just down the road from us in Plymouth, developed a program specifically for those of us who are “iconically” challenged.  Per Stardock:

Fences is a one-of-a-kind program, allowing you to draw labeled shaded areas on your desktop, which become movable & resizable containers for your desktop icons. These groups can help bring organization and consistency to your computer’s desktop, solving the “constant mess” problem that has plagued the desktop since its inception.

Fences also helps you finally appreciate the wallpaper you have hiding behind all that clutter.
In addition to its organizing features, Fences offers a novel quick-hide feature (in-patenting-process). Double click your desktop, and all your icons will fade out. Double click again, and they’ll return.

You can download the program Free at: http://www.stardock.com/products/fences/

The Novi City Council has sent the Signature Park proposal to the voters. The May 5, 2009 vote if passed, would increase property taxes by 0.5 mills, which would cost about $75 per year for a resident with a $300,000 home. $75 doesn’t sound like much, but in this day and age, it is a lot of money to an unemployed worker. It’s a lot of money to a family of 4 that is trying to support 2 college students while paying some of the already highest property taxes in the state. Home values have decreased more than any other state in the country and Novi is feeling those affects. When was the last time a house sold in Novi that wasn’t a foreclosure? When was the last time a new house was built in Novi?  Raising taxes is not going to help the housing market.

There are currently several parks, entertainment, activity centers, throughout Novi, including the new park being built at the Faust farm. Are they being used 100% of the time? Probably not. Until they are, we are just looking at another facility used less than we would like, and the other facilities are now used even less.  But hey….we still pay to keep these facilities looking good and running good.

What about other options for financing the park? There are several companies in Novi that claim to be a part of the community. Lets make them feel like part of the community. Has City Council approached them? They will probably say NO……Every company is cutting back. Cutting wages and hours. This is bad timing. Please wait for the economy to improve.

If you can’t tell, I’m not supporting this proposal. If we are going to be a part of change, we need to lower our taxes, not raise them. You want to jump start the economy? Offer incentives by lowering taxes. Novi can be a leader in this state.  The only way to do that…..Just say NO on May 5th.